Blame Air Conditioning for Congressional Excess

Updated Aug. 5, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

George Melloan starts his column of August 2 ("Meet the New Special-Interest U.S. Congress") with a very apt quotation from Mark Twain: "No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session." That is true enough, and the problem has only worsened in the modern age -- thanks to the advent of central air conditioning. Prior to its introduction, the excessive heat and humidity of the District of Columbia made life there during the summer months virtually unbearable, especially near the Potomac River. In this climate, Congress cleared up its business prior to the summer...